Monday, February 18, 2013

Sheer Madness Design Wall Monday

Remember when you were a new quilter? All excited to learn the secrets of fabric and thread. Do you remember reading the rule that quality quilts are made with 100% cotton since other fabric tend to stretch and don't wash well? Now I'm all for following the rules (well unless they're stupid ineffectual) and I tried to follow that rule. . . . for a while. But OMG there are so many cool fabrics out there - that will give you so many cool textures. Not to mention, not all quilts are made to drag around the house and be washed.

So with that in mind, I started adding sheers to the ladies this weekend. I think the sheers will add a new dimension to the design and give it a sense of movement. Now this isn't the first time I added sheers (I used them on Abandoned), but this is the first time I'm using them to convey movement. Since I had no idea of how to do that I got out my handy-dandy tracing paper and made some sketches of how I wanted the Ladies' dresses to sway. So much easier just tacking the paper to the Ladies and making the curves there. Once I could see the tracing paper up the whole plan of action became clearer. (Note to self: Keep making visual decisions visually )

I have two Ladies done and will get the third done this morning before work. I'll be very thankful to get them sandwiched and under my machine!

I'm with Judy...in fact, if I can stick a needle through it by hand or machine...it is fair game. I use sheers all the time, and if I am fusing them, I use Mistyfuse ultraviolet as it has some ultraviolet light inhibitors in it so it won't discolor as much. I am mentioning it in case you didn't know about it...but you probably do!